Mae West: Legion of Decency

A very long article about MAE WEST and her career in Tinseltown appeared five years ago.  It was written by Paul Phaneuf. Let's enjoy it together. This is Part 34.
• • Mae West: "I'm here to make talkies" or Censor Will vs. Diamond Lil • •
• • The Legion of Decency • •
• • "I wish to join the Legion of Decency, which condemns vile and unwholesome moving pictures. I unite with all those who protest against them as a grave menace to youth, to home life, to country, and to religion." — — The Pledge of the Legion of Decency
• • Paul Phaneuf wrote:  It was also the year the Catholic Church formed "The National Legion of Decency" which listed and rated the product coming out of Hollywood. Pictures were either A.) Morally Unobjectionable for All, B.) Morally Objectionable in Part, and C.) Condemned. Included in the Condemned list was Queen Christina with Greta Garbo (1933), Scarlet Empress with Marlene Dietrich, and Mae West's I'm No Angel (1934). Time Magazine reported ." . . the Legion of Decency binds pledge signers to remain away from all motion pictures except those which do not offend decency and Christian morality." And the list would be their guide.
• • "It Ain't No Sin" — or is it? • •   ...
• • This was Part 34.  Part 35 will appear tomorrow.
• • Source:  Article by Paul Phaneuf in Films of the Golden Age Magazine;  issue dated 5  November 2011. Used with permission.
• • On Thursday, 20 February 1936 in Hollywood • •
• • There is a Joseph Breen PCA office memo, dated Thursday, 20 February 1936, in the "Klondike Annie" PCA case file. Alas, Breen felt that Mae West was "censorable" and he never let up.
• • On Thursday, 20 February 1936 • •
• • Many newspapers including the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on the script disputes and disagreements between Joe Breen and Mae West over "Klondike Annie" and these articles were published on Thursday, 20 February 1936.
• • On Saturday, 20 February 1937 • •
• • The headline from London, England was "Paris Fashions Mae West Curves."
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae was seen in the starring role of Carliss Dale in the stage play "Come On Up (Ring Twice)," when it toured during 1946 — 1947.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said:  "Doncha think TV is a perfect medium for me? After all, I've always entertained the masses — — all ages and mentality."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A California paper mentioned Mae West.
• • Stylish Stouts Are Shown by Designers • •

• • By Mary Fentress  (United Press Correspondent)
• • PARIS, Feb. 20 — — It is fashionable now to be buxom In the Mae West style.
• • Mary Fentress wrote: Paris dressmakers are accentuating curves to such an extent that It seems more than likely that the full-busted feminine figure so admired In the gay nineties will be revived.
• • Mary Fentress wrote:  The two leading couturieres, who dress most of the stage and film stars — — Madeleine Vionnet and Madame Lanvin — — have definitely fattened up their mannekins. Alex and Schiaparellli, who are considered the most extreme and original Paris dress designers, no longer hide but outline the body curves.
• • Mary Fentress wrote:  Schiaparelli brings back the modified hour glass figure by pinching In the waist, while Alix uses complicated draping to accentuate busts and hips. If a woman wasn't born with a Mae West figure, Alix gives it to her by a clever manner of draping material.  ...
• • Source: Item in San Bernardino Sun; published on Sunday, 20 February 1937
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 12th anniversary • •  
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past eleven years. The other day we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,500 blog posts. Wow! 
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3643rd blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.

• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in costume, 1935 • •
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